My husband and I are thinking of taking our then 18 mo old twins to Gulf Shores next March and I have a couple of questions I was hoping someone might be able to answer.
What's the temperature like in March? We're coming from WI so anything is an improvement, but I don't want to be on a beach vacation and it be 50 degrees and raining either? Will be be able to it on the beach, play in the sand, and frolick in the water?
Are there a lot of spring breakers? I don't mind families but I don't want to compete for beach space with the fraternity kegstanders.
Stay on the beach or in a highrise condo? Just looking for suggestions. Seems that most places are highrise condos across the street from the beach???? I guess I would rather stay right on the beach where I can walk directly to the beach. Also not looking to spend a lot of $$$ (around $1000 for the week. But since I've never been there I thought I might be able to get some insights.
Thanks for your help.
Gulf Shore AL in March??
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25 responses; most recent on May 22, 13 at 08:18 PM
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We did the Florida panhandle (just west of Gulf Shores) in February a couple years ago. Stayed in Seagrove Beach - an area we both really liked, right next to Seaside - in a low-rise condo right on the beach (vrbo.com)
Our weather was good - obviously no one can predict, especially these days - but we were fortunate and enjoyed very pleasant weather -- upper 60s-low 70s, I think?? The water that time of year is going to be pretty chilly still, but given your tots ages, and the salt water issue, they probably wouldn't be doing much more than wading anyway. Lots of kids were playing on the sand.
Good luck (from another WI resident - and wouldn't we like to escape RIGHT NOW!!)
March can be very chilly. Check out weather.com for March averages.
I would also recommend looking into Brett Robinson's Phoenix All Suites Hotel. Phoenix also has a very large group of nice condominiums in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach but I've heard good things about the All Suites Hotel. With kids, you'll need the kitchen and it is located right on the beach. I saw on the website that there are two locations listed. I only know about the one next to Bahama Bob's (a great local restaurant).
Note also that Mardi Gras is very early next year which means Easter will be early. Check a calendar for these dates. High schools in the south usually get out for spring break on Good Friday through the following week; college spring breaks are all different.
Hope this helps.
I was reared in Mobile/ Gulfshores area and I would recommend you wait until May but the best two weeks is the 1st of June, IMO.
The water will still be somewhat cool in May, but the wind should be less, and so would the unpredictable temps (maybe nice maybe not). I've heard good things about the Phoenix condo's as well.
We usually stay at the Perdido Beach Resort, which is nice.
March usually does have Spring breackers, but GS is considered more tame and family oriented than some areas such as Panama City.
I would recommend staying someplace with an indoor heated pool, as the gulf will be too cold in March to swim. The weather is usually fairly nice, but won't be really "beach" weather~you need to wait until at least late April/May for that. Try Brett-Robinson Realty (www.brett-robinson.com) They manage a LOT of condos (I would recommend beachfront), houses, etc. and they offer a free night special during the low periods. Hope this helps.
I live in Alabama and have vacationed in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach all my life. March can be chilly during that time of year. You will also run into spring breakers (both high school and college). I would recommend going in April or the beginning of May. You will have a much better chance of having nice, warm weather without the hassle of the spring break crowd.
There are a lot of high rise condos in the area. A nice one is Caribe - it has several pools (indoor and outdoor) and it faces the Gulf Coastal Waterway. It's a good place for kids and is next to some yummy restaurants (Loiusiana Lagniappe is always a winner). Check out Caribe at www.orangebeachcaribecondo.com.
If you want a quieter setting, try looking for something close to Fort Morgan. The houses are beautiful and most are oceanfront. You will not run into many spring breakers here and will have a better chance of having your own private space on the sand. Fort Morgan is only about a 10 - 20 minute drive from the restaurants in Gulf Shores. You can look online for a good deal in Fort Morgan at vrbo.com.
Good luck your travel plans.
Yes, it will be a bit chilly, but still very comfortable. We have a condo at Gulf Shores Plantation (Palms 6308) and just love it all times of the year. We also own an effeciency on the third floor (5204)in the 8 floor concrete building with a to die for view. It is handled by Mandoki Realty. The Platation does have a large, breath taking beach right there with no streets to deal with. The sand is beautiful, white and soft. There are 7 pools within the Plantations with one being heated. Spring breakers are never a problem as you will almost exclusively share the area with families. Good luck, To rent ours or others there go to Meyers Realty. If ours does not work for you there are many choices. FYI the Palms is the nicest building and accomodations with a balcony looking straight out to the ever changing gulf.